Electric signal system



1. D. NELSON.

' ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 191?.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- J. D. NELSON.

ELECTRIC SIQNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1917.

Patentd Jan. 17, 1922.

2 swans-sham 2.

avwewfoz JAMES D. NELSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

Application filed May 9, 1917. Serial No. 167,385.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, James D. NELSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Signal Systems, of which the followlng IS a specification.

An object of my invention 1s to produce an electric signal system particularly adapted for use with automatic fire extinguisher systems, which is capable of sending three distinguishable signals to indicate a flow of water through the extinguisher system, a break in the circuit in which the supervised elements of the extinguisher system are located, and battery trouble.

This and other objects are attained in the electric signal system described in the following specification and illustrated in the drawing in which the system is disclosed somewhat diagrammatically.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a device embodying my invention, showing the parts in their normal relation.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view of the device shown in Fig. 1, showing a relation of the parts, in event of wire trouble.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view of the device shown in Fig. 1 when the device is subject to battery trouble.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical View Of an automatic sprinkler such as is supervised by the device shown in Fig. 1.

My improved system consists of a signal transmitter 1, a timing device 2 adapted to control the operation of the transmitter, an electromagnet 3 adapted to control the op eration of the timing device, a battery 4: from which energy for the operation of the system is obtained, and the necessary Wiring for connecting the various elements of the system and the diagrammatically illustrated valve switches 5 which are adapted to be closed upon change of condition within the fire extinguisher system.

The transmitter of my improved system consists of a signal transmitting wheel 6 adapted to operate a signal sending key or switch 7 for sending a signal over the main line 8 to the central station where the signal is recorded, a disc 9 having notches 10 and 11 for cooperation with a tripping lever 12, a cam 13 for controlling the operation of a switch 14, a cam 15 for controlling the operation of a switch 16, and an escapement pawl and ratchet 17 and 18 respectively for controlling the. speed of the transmitter. Disc 9 and cams 13 and 15 are shown mounted upon and secured to a shaft 19'. Cooperating with disc 9 is a pawl 20 the end 21 of which is adapted to engage notches 10 and 11 at certain periods and under certain conditions, thereby controlling to some extent the operation of the transmitter. Pawl 20 is loosely mounted on pivot 60 and carries an arm 22 upon which is mounted a member 23 for engaging a branch 24 of a forked finger 25 which is secured to the pawl 17, the remaining branch 26 of the forked finger being adapted to'be engaged by a shoulder 27 of transmitter locking lever 12. An overhanging end 28 of locking lever 12 is adapted to cooperate with timing device 2 when the timing device is released by magnet 3 for the purpose of lifting lever 12 to release the transmitter. Arm 22 of pawl 20 carries at its end a pin 29 adapted to engage the surface of a sector 30 secured to a pivotally mounted shaft 31 which also forms anelement of the timing device. A lever 32 is secured to shaft 31 at a point between its ends and is provided at one end with an armature adapted to be controlled by electromagnet 3 and at its opposite end is provided with a weight 34 for lifting the armature and r0- tating shaft 31 and sector 30 when magnet 3 is deenergized. A gear 35, a pinion 36, and a fan plate 37 are provided for controlling the dropping motion of the weight 34. The spring controlled pawl 38 is provided for engaging a ratchet 39 secured to gear so that the weight 34E may be elevated quickly when magnet 3 is energized without operating the retarding fan 37 and will connect the weight with the retarding fan when armature is released by magnet 3. Switch 14 which in its normal condition closes the circuit through magnet 3 from battery 1, consists of switch arms 40 and 41 which are adapted respectively to engage switch contacts 42 and 43. Switch 16 which is provided for closing an auxiliary circuit through magnet 3when switch 14: is opened during certain operations of the transmitter, consists of a switch arm 14 which is adapted to engage a contact 415, and a switch arm 46 which is adapted to engage a contact 47. The switches of the supervised devices 5,

which are in the extinguisher system to be supervised, and which are controlled by the opening and closing of the valves of the system, consist of contacts 48 which are engaged by switch arms 49. The pipe 48 is con nccted to the battery 4. A series of discharge or sprinkler nozzles 48 are mounted upon the pipe 48 and are sealed by means of a plug 48, such plug being of fusible metal. A bracket 48 is mounted on the nozzle 48 and has pivotally mounted upon it at pivotal point 48 the contact 48. The end of the contact farthest removed from the pivotal point 48 extends over the fusible plug 48. The insulated contact 49 is mounted upon the insulated plug 49 mounted upon the pipe 48" and the contact 49 has an electrical connection with the line wire'50. Vhen the fusible plug 48 is melted the force of the water flowing through the nozzles will move the contact 48 about the pivotal point 48 and will close the circuit. The wiring of my improved system consists of a lead 50 which extends along one side of the series of supervised devices 5, and which in the example disclosed is connected with the switch arms 49. This lead 50is connected at its endremote from the battery to switch arm 40. From contact 42 with which switch arm 40 engages. a lead 51 is connected therewith and with one terminal of magnet 3. The opposite terminal of magnet 3 is connected by means of a lead 52 with contacts 48 of the supervised devices 5 and with contact 43 of switch 14. Switch arm 41 of switch 14, which normally engages contact 43, is connccted with a lead extending to and con nected with the negative pole of the battery. This series of connections comprises the normally closed circuit in which supervised devices 5 are connected in parallel.

The auxiliary circuit, previously mentioned, consists of a lead 54 connecting lead 52 and contact 47 of switch 16, a lead 55 which connects switch arm 46 of switch 16 and the positive pole of the battery, a lead 56 which connects the negative pole of the battery and switch arm 44 of switch 16, and

a lead 57 which connects contact 45 and lead 51. of the normally closed circuit.

In describing the operation of my improved system I will first describe the action of the timing device and the transmitter upon the closing of the switches of supervised device 5, then I will describe the action of the system upon a breakage occurring in the circuit in which the switches of supervised devices 5 are located, and finally describe the action of the system upon breakage or other disarrangement of the battery 4.

In its normal condition it will be assumed that the system is as disclosed in the drawing, the timing device being restrained by the magnet 3 to permit the tripping lever 12 to occupy notch 10 of the transmitter so that the transmitter is held in its inoperative position. In this position of the timing device pin 29 1S in engagement with the curved edge of sector 30 and thus the end 21 of its pawl 20 is held from engagement with notches 10 or 11 of disc 9 and its member 23 held from engagement with branch 24 of finger 25. Signal sending circuit breaker 7 is in its normal condition closing circuit 8 and the teeth of signal wheel 6 are in position to transmit a signal immediately upon the transmitter being tripped. Switch 16 is held in its normal opened position by reason of the end of switch lever 44 occupying notch 15 of cam 15 and switch 14 is normally in its closed position by reason of the end 0t its switch arm 40 occupying notch 13 of cam 13. Tripping lever 12 has its shoulder 27 in engagement with branch 26 of finger 25 to lock pawl 17 to prevent operation of the transmitter. Each of the switches of supervised devices 5 is in a normally opened position. V

-lVhen the system'is operated by a flow through the extinguisher system with which it is connected, the following series of operations takes place. The normally closed circuit existing through the series otsupervised devices 5 and through the signal system when it is in its normal condition as disclosed in the drawing, is as follows; the current flows from the battery through the positive pole thereof, through resistance R, which is inserted for the protection of the battery, through lead 50, switch arm 40, contact 42, lead 51, magnet 3, lead 52. contact 43, switch arm 41, and lead 53 back tothe battery.

It will now be assumed that'the switch of one of the supervised devices 5' is closed by a flow through the extinguisher system. This causes switch arm 49 tocngage contact 48 of the switch of the supervised device. Such an action causes magnet 3 to be short circuited and establishes a circuit as follows. From the positive pole of battery 4, through lead 50, switch arm 49, contact 48, lead 52, contact 43, switch arm 41, lead 53, and back to the battery. The result of thus short circuiting magnet 3fis that armature 33 is released to place weight 3.4 under direct control of the retarding mechanism 37 of timing device 2. As weight 34 lowers, end 32'' of lever 32 of the timing device engages end 28 of releasing lever 12 of the transmitter, and sector 30 simultaneously disengages pin 29. This releases ratchet 17 and permits operation of the transmitter. Detent 12- of the releasing lever 12 being disengaged from notch 10, transmitter 1 then starts to operate so that its disc 9 rotates in the di rection of arrow A, signal wheel 6 rotating in the direction of arrow B. Detent 12 having been lifted from notch 10, the rotation of disc 9 places it upon the edge of the disc. Simultaneously with the rotation of disc 9 the end of switcharm 44 of switch 16 en gages inclined shoulder 15 of cam 15 and causes switch arms 4.4. and 46 to engage the respective contacts 45 and 4:". This establishes a new circuit through magnet 3, extending from the positive pole of the battery a through lead 55, switch arm 46, con tact 4-7, lead 54:, lead 52, magnet 3, lead 51, lead 57, contact 45, switch arm it, lead 56, and back through the battery l. However, magnet 3 is prevented "from becoming energized by reason of the short circuit existing between the positive and negative poles of the battery over lead 50, the closed switch of supervised device 5-, lead 52, contact 13, switch arm 41, and lead 53. There fore, the transmitter continues to operate to cause its signal-sending circuit breaker 7 to transmit a signal as indicated by the series of signal teeth C, D, E, F, H, I, J, on signal wheel 6. As the signal wheel continues to rotate, notch 11 becomes positioned under detent 12 but as magnet 3 is short circuited by the conditions that exist at the supervised device 5 the detent 12 and notch 11 cannot engage and now the continued operation of the transmitter will cause the end of switch arm 4:0 to be lifted by the inclined shoulder 13* to cause it to ride upon the edge of cam 13. This position opens the switch by lifting switch arms 40 and ll from the respective contacts 12 and Thus the short circuit existing at supervised device 5, is eliminated and magnet 3 is placed under the influence of the circuit established by the closing of switch 16 as previously de scribed. This occurs just previous to the engagement of end 21 of pawl 20 with notch of disc 9 of the transmitter. Magnet 3, having been energized just previous to the engagement of pawl 21 with notch 10, caused armature 33 to be retracted so that weight 34c is lifted. This places the edge of plate 30 under pin 29 of arm 22 ct pawl 20 and prevents end 21 of pawl 20 entering notch 10. This prevents engagement of finger 23 with branch 21 of finger 25 ot escapement pawl 17 so that the transmitter is permitted to continue its operation until cams 13 and .15 and disc 9 have made a complete revolution and then respective notches 13 and are again normally positioned to cause the ends of switch arms e and 4a to be operated by them and permitting lever 12, to engage escapement pawl 17, by means of finger 25. The system is then placed in its normal condition by rewinding. This should not be done, however, until the supervised device at 5 has been repaired or restored to normal. During the aforesaid operation which required one complete revolution of cams 13 and 15 and disc 9 and of course, drive wheel 9, the signal wheel was caused to rotate many times, being the full capacity of the transmitter, which could be made any suitable number of rounds, as for instance, common practice might make this signal six rounds or the signal, whereas for a broken wire, or a disabled battery a less number of rounds of the signal would be transmitted in a manner to be now. described.

It will be assumed that, the system being in its normal. condition, a break in the circuit occurs at a point designated by numeral 52 his causes magnet 3 to become deenergized to permit armature 33 to be released, whereby weight 3 1 will cause operation of the timing device 2. This causes end 32 of lever 32 of the timing device, to be brought into engagement with end 28 of lever. 12 of the transmitter to cause the ransmitter to be released. Operation of the transmitter then causes the closing of switch 16 by bringing inclined shoulder 15 under the end of switch arm 44- to cause switch arms 41 and 416 to engage the respective contacts i5 and i? thus establishing a circuit from the positive poleot battery 4:, through lead 55*,switch arm as, contact 47, lead 5%, lead 52, magnet 3, lead 51, lead 57, contact 15, switch arm 1d, and lead 56, back through the battery. Magnet 3 is then energized to retract armature 33 to permit detent 12 of lever 12 to engage notch 11 as soon as it comes into engagement therewith. This brings the notched end of lever 12 into engagement with branch 26 of finger to stop the operation of pawl 17 for the purpose of locking the transmitter against further movement. Thus one signal in accord ance with teeth C, D and E of signal wheel 6, is transmitted by circuit breaker 7 to the central station. This indicates a broken line. 11s goon as the circuit is repaired the transmitter is rewound and the system is again in its normal condition. Now the distance from notch 10 to notch 11 permits signal wheel 6 to transmit the signal once and the distance notch 10 has to travel in order to engage end 21 ot pawl 20 i such asto permit signal wheel 3 to transmit the signal twice.

The next condition which might arise to disturb the system from its normal condition is a broken or disabled battery. Under this condition the magnet is either gradually or uddenly deenergized to release armature 33 so that weight 3 1- will cause operation of the timing device, thereby operating tripping lcver 12 to release the transmitter. In addition to this, sector is removed from engagement with pin 29 of arm 22 to permit pawl 20 to enter notch 10 as soon as it registers with end 21 of the pawl. In this condition notch ll'will pass detent'12 without effecting its operation for the reason that lever 12, is positioned by member 32 due to battery trouble so that it cannot engage said notch, therefore said notch will advance to a position under end 21 of pawl 20. This permits a second round of the signal from signal wheel 6 to be transmitted and sincepawl 21'is not under the control of plate 30, due to battery trouble, end 21 of said pawl will register with notch 10 and member 23 will engage finger 25 of escapement 17 thereby preventing further operation of the transmitter.

Havingthus describedn 1y invention, What I claim is:

1. \n electric signalling system for superv. 'ng automatic fire extinguisher systems, comprising a transmitter, a controlling lever operatively associated with the transmitter, and adapted to stop the transmitter, a pawl o )eratively associated with the transmitter and having means adapted tostop the transmitter ataperiod of operation different from that controlled by the lever, and. an elertromagnetirally responsive means operatively connected with. the extinguisher system to be supervised, whereby the lever and the pawl will be controlled for a change in conditions arising in the extinguisher system.

2. An electric signalling system for supervising automatic fire extinguisher systems, comprising a signal transmitter, a transmitter controlling lever, a transmitter controlling pawl, a lever and pawl releasing mechanismhaving retarded motion, an electromagnetically controlled device for'conditioning the retarded lever and pawl operating mechanism for controlling'the operation of the transmitter 'for achange of condition in the extinguisher system to be supervised,-said lever being adap'tedto control the transmitter in response toa change 

